The BBC has confirmed that This City Is Ours will return for a third series, with production set to take place in the Liverpool city region next year. The announcement comes ahead of the second series premiere, which is scheduled for this Sunday, October 25.
The Liverpool-set crime drama has achieved significant critical and commercial success since its debut on BBC One and iPlayer last year. The upcoming second series will consist of eight episodes, continuing the story of conflicted gangster Michael Kavanagh (James Nelson-Joyce) and his girlfriend Diana Williams (Hannah Onslow), who fled Liverpool for Spain at the end of the first season.
Creator's Reaction to Early Renewal
Stephen Butchard, the Kirkby-born creator of the show, expressed his enthusiasm about continuing the saga in his home city. He said: "Following the quite breathtaking response to series one, myself, the cast and our wonderful crew were all determined not to drop the ball and endeavour to deliver an even better series two! No spoilers, but I’m hoping this fantastic early commission from the BBC for a third series is an indication that we may have come close to doing just that!"
Butchard also thanked Lindsay Salt, Jo McClellan and all at BBC Drama for their support, as well as the audience who watched and shared the show.
New Cast Member and Plot Details
Series two will see Michael and Diana drawn back to Liverpool following the death of Ricardo, which concluded the first season dramatically. However, the cartel representative's death is not the only challenge facing Michael and the Phelan crime family.
Shaun Evans has joined the cast as Ozzie Thompson, an old-school gangster from the era when Ronnie Phelan (Sean Bean) led the outfit. The character will cause disruption when he seeks compensation from the family after being released from prison.
BBC and Production Team Comments
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, said: "Stephen Butchard and the team at Left Bank have built a world filled with ambition, authenticity and heart that has been embraced by millions. With series two still to come this weekend, there's so much for viewers to look forward to."
Rebecca Hodgson, executive producer at Left Bank Pictures, added: "Left Bank are thrilled to be getting the This City is Ours family back together. The world that Stephen Butchard has created is so special and one that we all love spending time in. Our amazing cast and crew, led by lead director Saul Dibb, have stuck with us for two series, and it's testimony to their talent that we have been commissioned for a third series."
The first episode of series two will air on BBC One at 9pm on Sunday, October 25, with all eight episodes available to stream on iPlayer from that date.
